GSOC at the MN State Fair

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Created: Monday, 11 September 2017 10:46

Written by Lareina Taing

Planning to visit the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” this year? While you are at the State Fair, stop by and visit the Gopher State One Call (GSOC) booth! We will be spreading the damage prevention message to fair-goers and distributing our wildly popular GSOC yardsticks, along with other GSOC promotional items. Spin our wheel and land on an APWA color-coded utility to determine the color of the yardstick you’ll receive! You can find us in the Blue Flame Gas Association building on the west side of Nelson Street, between Dan Patch and Carnes Avenues (across from the Giant Slide) from August 24th-September 4th, 2017.

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The 811 Run Returns to MN

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Created: Monday, 11 September 2017 09:30

Written by Lareina Taing

To celebrate 811 Day, the 811 Run is returning to Minnesota! The event promotes the “Call or Click Before You Dig” message, and all proceeds go to Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm, an organization that provides winter coats to children in need. Gopher State One Call (GSOC) is a proud sponsor of this family-friendly event that will feature a free kid’s “fun run”, an awards ceremony, a prize giveaway, and a safety fair following the 5K run. Come visit the GSOC booth to learn more about the damage prevention message and the important steps that you should take to excavate safely.

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Staking University at GSOC - Recap and upcoming events

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Created: Monday, 11 September 2017 08:50

Written by Lareina Taing

Why Are There Flags And Paint In My Yard?

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Created: Monday, 11 September 2017 08:28

Written by Courtney Ommen

Updated: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

At some point in time, either in your yard or around town, you’ve probably noticed small colored flags and spray paint marking the ground. The flags and paint mark are used to mark where underground utilities are located and are most often used when someone is planning to dig. Getting a proposed dig site marked like this is a simple, free process through Gopher State One Call (GSOC).

Gopher State One Call, which is often referred to as “GSOC,” is Minnesota’s official one call notification system. The non-profit organization acts as a vital communication link between underground facility operators, homeowners, and excavators within the state, as well as an educational resource for promoting safe digging to protect our communities, infrastructure, and environment.

In Minnesota, it’s required for anyone planning to dig to contact GSOC and submit a ticket – also known as a “locate request” – prior to digging. Tickets have a 48-hour waiting period after submission, excluding the day of submission, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. This means that if you submit a ticket on Monday, you can start digging on Thursday. If you submit on a Thursday, you can start digging on the following Tuesday. Tickets can be submitted online at gopherstateonecall.org, using the GSOC app, or by calling 8-1-1.

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Radon - An Underground Danger

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Created: Monday, 11 September 2017 07:48

Written by Lareina Taing

Striking an underground pipeline or cable can result in an array of consequences, but did you know that there are non-excavation related underground dangers? One prime example is an odorless, colorless gas named “radon”. “Radon...forms naturally from the decay (breaking down) of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are found in different amounts in soil and rock throughout the world. Radon gas in the soil and rock can move into the air, underground water, and surface water. Radon is present outdoors and indoors. It is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in drinking water from rivers and lakes. It can be found at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources, such as well water.” ¹

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